Concrete Ron

[ciggiesnbeer]

We are sniffing around Porto defender Rolando, apparently. Available cheap in Jan as his contract is up in the summer and he's pissed Porto off. Although so are Inter, possibly, so I can guess where he will end up. Maybe.

He is only 29. Thats a bit young for Inter isn't it? 

[timeoutbigbar]

If we can get £5 million for an injury-prone 30 year old defender with six months left on his contract then we should be snatching hands off.

Barca just paid £16m for a 30 year old centre half who isn't as good as Vlaar.  He's worth more to us than £5m (which may or may not be re-invested), even if he does miss a few games.

[Dave]

If we can get £5 million for an injury-prone 30 year old defender with six months left on his contract then we should be snatching hands off.

Barca just paid £16m for a 30 year old centre half who isn't as good as Vlaar.  He's worth more to us than £5m (which may or may not be re-invested), even if he does miss a few games.

Well, it depends doesn't it?

If we're pottering around mid-table come January with little chance of going down and he isn't signing a new contract, then no he's probably not worth missing out on £5m - we may as well take the money.

If we look like we're being sucked into a bit of a battle and he is fit, then we're probably better off holding on to him and then sending him on his way with a firm handshake and our best wishes in the summer.

[dave.woodhall]

If we can get £5 million for an injury-prone 30 year old defender with six months left on his contract then we should be snatching hands off.

Barca just paid £16m for a 30 year old centre half who isn't as good as Vlaar.  He's worth more to us than £5m (which may or may not be re-invested), even if he does miss a few games.

Bigger fools them for paying it. It doesn't mean we couldn't get a long-term better bet.

[Steve kirk]

If someone offered 5 million for Ron in January and I thought an experienced replacement would be bought I would do the deal and let him go.

[peter w]

I wouldn't. We're not going to replace him with better in January in all probability so for the sake of 5 million I'd keep him.

[PeterWithesShin]

I wouldn't. We're not going to replace him with better in January in all probability so for the sake of 5 million I'd keep him.

Depends whether he is fit or not. If he isn't playing, a cardboard box is better. I think what could be key is what the medical staff think of his potential future injuries. If it is decided not to sign him long term because they think he will play less and less due to injuries, then unless we are really struggling in the league it makes sense to flog him for £5m and save on the months of wages as well rather than wait for him to leave for nothing 6 months later. That's approx £5-6m in the coffers that won't be there if he leaves for nothing.

[Louzie0]

Oooh.

Given everything and all the arguments.


I wanna keep Ron.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I wanna keep Ron too Louzie, but if he wants to go to eg ManU, then I think we should take the dosh...as long as we use it to provide a solid replacement...but they ain't falling off the shelves! Esp in Jan...or at any other time!

[Ian.]

Ron is pretty damn good but McGrath's knees were more reliable than his bloody calf.

[Matt Collins]

How much money is there per premier league place this season? I'd have thought Vlaar pays for himself unless it's really silly money

[pauliewalnuts]

I wanna keep Ron too Louzie, but if he wants to go to eg ManU, then I think we should take the dosh...as long as we use it to provide a solid replacement...but they ain't falling off the shelves! Esp in Jan...or at any other time!

If he wants to go to Man United and Man United want him (and, to be honest, I find that hard to believe), then it doesn't really matter what we want, he'll be offski.

[Louzie0]

I wanna keep Ron too Louzie, but if he wants to go to eg ManU, then I think we should take the dosh...as long as we use it to provide a solid replacement...but they ain't falling off the shelves! Esp in Jan...or at any other time!

Do you think he really wants to go, though?
I think he'd like to stay.
Appreciate the difficulty in replacing him, anyway.

[Mister E]

Ron is pretty damn good but McGrath's knees were more reliable than his bloody calf.

Albeit I'm an old and not very fit git, I get regular calf problems (from refereeing and cycling) and they are difficult to shake off. Even with the medical care that Ron gets, if he has problem it will not simply go away.
For £5m, it's probably a risk but I'd take the money in January.

More importantly, where is Okore?

[QBVILLA]

At his age and on the back of an impressive World Cup this will be his last big contract chance. I think if we are offering the money then he'll stop. If he gets offered more money elsewhere then I think he'll be off. Can't blame him really.